New Self

"She's lost her touch, that Unstoppable Killer. We'll probably have to change her name if she starts to fight like that," the one-eyed demon commented after tutting in disappointment.

"You think? I think she will be much more of a threat to the top rankings if she keeps fighting like this. Before she would just wildly attack and couldn't control herself, but now she's making the Iron Fist Nora look like a novice," one of his elite subordinates responded.

The other 4 also agreed, but the one-eyed demon just smiled.

"So, what you're saying is that fighting in a calm manner is superior to letting loose?"

"..."

They didn't know how to answer and were intimidated by their boss as he laughed maniacally before suddenly stopping.

"So, you think you 5 have a chance against me?!" he asked with an evil smile as he glared at the one who was the first to speak.

A chill ran down his spine and despite being one of the most dangerous men in the whole country, before the one-eyed demon, he felt like nothing more than a child.

"No, sir. I was just..."

"If you reach a point where your rage and monstrosity become limitless, like me, there is no amount of technique or strategy that can save you in a fight," he stated sternly.

"But, I must say, she's not bad in terms of skill and this fight is basically over," he added before getting up, losing interest in Achara's fight.

-

Meanwhile, in a private viewing room, Xavier, seeing how easily Achara was avoiding all of Nora's attacks, was glad that she was able to clear her mind and come to terms with what had happened with Nora's brother.

And, in the process, had been able to find her own way of fighting.

The one-eyed demon is a very wild and powerful fighter, which is quite clear from his character, presence, and reputation.

But it seemed as though Achara wasn't, despite how much she convinced herself that she was in the past, and after finding herself now, she would be a much more formidable opponent.

However, Xavier wasn't planning on lagging behind and was itching for his turn to fight, as he watched the rest of Achara's battle, confident she would win.

-

Skipping around the cage, while slipping all of Nora's punches, Achara saw Nora's sudden explosive knee strike coming and found an opening to land an attack of her own.

Having fought her previously and also taught her that attack, Achara easily found its weakness.

Nora had lost her balance, and the attack wasn't carried out perfectly, which Achara saw and used a type of attack Nora wasn't expecting.

Moving to the side and slotting her shoulder under Nora's arm, Achara clasped Nora's wrist and flung her over her shoulder, slamming her onto the ground.

Boom!

Letting out a gasp, Nora, who didn't even see the attack coming, was winded and was on the verge of vomiting, and before she could even react, Achara followed it up with a strike to the centre of her forehead.

Holding back, not wanting to deal her too much damage, Achara was confident that she had knocked Nora unconscious and walked out of the cage with her head held up high.

Unlike before, when she would bask in the crowd's cheers after crushing all of her opponents ruthlessly, now she truly felt proud of herself.

But she also pitied Nora and needed to speak to her about everything and attempt to reduce the hatred that she inevitably held towards her.

Losing a loved one is hard, especially to one that one thought was their friend, but instead of allowing guilt to eat her up, Achara was using it to move forward and if she could, wanted to find a way for Nora to forgive her.

With a slight smile under her mask, she was glad that Xavier had dragged her with him and she opened a knot in her heart, while she also found out how she was most suited to fighting.

Previously, she made herself believe that by relying on raw power and relentlessly striking her opponents, she would be at her greatest and be able to receive the most respect.

But now her perspective changed, and she was led back to the private viewing room that Xavier was in, after declining medical attention.

And on the way there, she came across the one-eyed demon who, upon seeing her, shook his head...

-

"You've become merciful and hesitant. Did killing someone affect you that much?"

She shrugged and responded, "It's quite the opposite. I've found myself in this battle, and I won't be killing anyone again. But if it comes down to it..."

She didn't bother finishing, and hearing her confident response and seeing the look in her eyes, he smiled.

"You didn't put up much of a show, but you were impressive."

"Also, here's your payment. 1000 for your return fight, and 500 bonus for winning, and you will receive much higher payment for your next fight now that you're on the ranking," he said to her as he signalled for one of his subordinates to hand her an envelope.

Seeing that she was not accepting it, he asked, "Is this not enough?"

"That's not the issue. I know it's my first fight back, so that pay is reasonable. But I would like to bet all my money on my companion's next fights."

Scoffing, the one-eyed demon, wasn't expecting that.

"Fights? And you're that confident that he'll win, even without knowing who his opponent is?"

Nodding her head, he didn't bother speaking to her any longer as he walked off.

"We'll see just how capable your little friend is and how this plays out for you. And the two of you can come and collect your earnings at the end of the night, if there are any," he said before walking off, leaving her to be escorted away.

-

Returning to the VIP viewing room, Achara joined Xavier on the sofa and, seeing how relaxed he was, was eager to observe his performance.

Facing him in sparring, she knew he was clearly capable, but she was yet to see him in a real fight.

"You've done well, Achara. And that Nora girl is quite skilled, maybe..."

"No," she said sternly, before he could even finish.

"Even if she hates me, I'll support her financially and try to get her to go back to university. And I don't want her to lead a life of danger like we will."

He didn't bother arguing and respected her decision, which she appreciated, as he began asking her about how she felt during her fight.

And after hearing her recollection of how everything seemed to have slowed down and everything else other than her opponent was blocked out, he realised it was similar to what he felt while facing the Black Hand Gang.

-

Speaking between themselves for a while longer, they thought that there would be a few more matches before that of Xavier.

But it seemed as though the one-eyed demon had pulled some strings and it was announced that the line-up had changed once again and there was going to be another surprise fight.

"A new challenger, the Unstoppable Beast, will be going up against none other than the Juggernaut!"